Casein

Description

Casein, used in the form of calcium caseinate, is the protein fraction extracted from cow milk. As a food source, casein supplies essential amino acids, carbohydrates, and two inorganic elements, calcium and phosphorus in a well-balanced ratio.

Properties

Casein has the advantage of excellent nutritional value, with a high rate of crude protein (92%), doesn't contain lactose, so no colon fermentation can occur in adult horses with no digestive upset. Furthermore, Casein has the ability to slow down nitrogen absorption by muscle cells and threfore can prevent the horse form post-exercise muscle-breakdown. Casein provides amino acids as short-chained peptides, the most digestible form of amino acids for the horse’s foregut absorption. In addition, the digestibility of the essential amino acids leucine, lysine, methionine and sulfur-containing amino acids is higher in casein than in soy proteins. 

Possible uses

Casein intake is beneficial for muscle growth and preparation to exertion. Using casein-containing diets was reported to enhance muscle synthesis and repair: immediately intake after resistance exercise results in a muscle protein synthesis response. It is an interesting protein source to add in the diet of growing horses, young horses during early training, athletic horses during training and competition periods, convalescent horses with a loss of muscle or older horses with difficulties to eat and digest proteins.